United Arab Emirates - A New World Arising

by Marion Vogt

Our last stop on the EXPO 2000 will be the pavilion, or the “Fort”, of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE is a federation comprising the seven emirates of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain and Fujairah.

A sheikh with one of the cultural heritages of the Arabian Emirates: a falcon

With waiting times from sometimes up to 3 hours until you reach the inside of the fort, the expectations of the visitors grow more and more and patience is required. But it is worth every minute - especially in the early evening hours when you can see the fort and its illuminations from far away. It stands in the middle of lots of sand, flown in from the UAE, and as you come nearer you feel the love for the country and the pride in what the UAE have achieved in not more than 30 years, and what they want to share with the world now.

The UAE pavilion at EXPO 2000 in Hanover is inspired by one of the UAE’s old landmarks, the Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain, built in 1898 by Sheik Zayed the First. The pavilion was chosen as a symbol of the UAE’s cultural heritage and of its strong interest in the chosen themes of EXPO 2000, i.e. Man, Technology and Nature. Throughout its history, and especially in the current era, the UAE’s people have harnessed available technologies in order to meet the challenges of life in one of the world’s most arid regions. Respect for nature has played a key role in this process.

One sequence of the multimedia show on the past and the present of the UAE

This major pavilion, one of the landmark buildings of EXPO 2000, is also a symbol of the mutual respect, friendship, stability and peace that the UAE’s government and people wish to convey to the world community.

The UAE’s development over the past three decades has been without precedent. In 1971, when the federation was formed, only a tiny minority of the population had access to schooling and the vast majority of those were boys. Today, however, comprehensive free education is available to all students, male & female. And in contrast to popular perceptions, significantly more women than men graduate from third level institutes. The value of education is deeply appreciated throughout the country; illustrated by the fact that over 80% of secondary school graduates went on to higher education colleges and universities in 1999. Similar comparisons can be drawn in all fields of social development throughout the country. The net result of these and other improvements is that life expectancy has risen dramatically, from 55 years in 1971 to a present average of approximately 75 years, significantly higher than the average figure for developed countries.

The UAE pavilion was inspired by an old fort built in 1898 by Sheikh Zayed the First

Inside the pavilion, it was like being transferred to a different world. Market stands, a gold soukh, a bazaar, carpet shops, cafes with Arabic specialties including the shishka, more known to Westerners as the water pipe. Everything was there to look at, to touch, to sit down and to try. Things like sitting on a carpet with a glass of tea in front of you and someone explaining how to smoke this huge water pipe, even asking if you prefer apple taste to coconut taste, all made the visitor feel most welcome. This was a pavilion where you not only walked through and took your impressions home, but also a pavilion where they wanted you to look, touch, try and stay, to take away your fear of the unknown Arabic culture.

Before you were on the pass to leave again, you had to stop at a 360 degree theatre where a film of the old and the new UAE was shown - impressive cities now stand where, within living memory, palm-leaf huts were once the norm; six lane highways replace desert tracks; superbly engineered bridges span creeks that were forded, until recently, by wading camels or shallow barges. Tourists can now enjoy the hospitality of the world’s best hotels.

One of the signboards informing the visitors about the waiting periods for the different pavilions

Meanwhile, a major industrial sector has emerged where none previously existed. From oil & gas to manufacturing and the service sector, every stage of the process has benefited from application of the most advanced technologies. The latest methods of biotechnology, such as tissue culture, have been applied to crop production. Such innovations have had dramatic impacts, transforming the country from one that was heavily dependent upon imports of fruits and vegetables to a net exporter of a number of valuable products in the food sector.

Airports and seaports offer the most advanced facilities for cargo and passenger handling. Media broadcasting and telecommunications facilities in the UAE have also received international acclaim. The list of achievements seems endless. But whilst technology is an essential ingredient in the UAE’s development, people are the crucial factor and the focus is on application of modern systems to improve living standards, rather than as an end in themselves.

The UAE is a land of contrasts. From the precipitous mountains and steep valleys of the northern Emirates, to the wind sculpted sand dunes of the Rub al-Khali. Contrast and change are part of what makes the UAE such a fascinating, attractive and welcoming country, both for its own citizens and for its many visitors. Think about a stopover next time you fly back to Europe and try to catch a glimpse of that feeling in a country whose people have experienced some of the most rapid lifestyle changes in the present era.

Rotary bowls them over

The 2nd round of the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club’s Golden 3 Charity Bowling Tournament at the OD Bowl on Saturday, October 28, raised 130,000 baht in aid of the Banglamung Home for the Aged.

The Rotary Club’s community service chairman, Bruno Keller was a relieved man when, by 6:30 p.m. on the day of the competition, 102 teams had registered to compete for a prize purse of 50,000 baht in cash and gold.

Chanyut Hengtrakul rolled the first “strike” to officially open the 2nd round of the Jomtien-Pattaya Rotary Club’s Golden 3 Charity Bowling Tournament.

Many Rotarians assisted with the administration of the event, from registration to judge and jury duties. As usual, Collin Sparks and his wife Apple produced instant scoring results on the laptop computer and president Erika Keller was there throughout the day assisting and encouraging the team of Rotary volunteers.

The main sponsors for the event included Siemens Industrial Services, who donated 20,000 baht, and Ambiance Hotel, Euro Design Furniture and Art Gallery, Tropic Restaurant, Gletscherkuss Entertainment, My Way Restaurant and Decorum Furniture & Decoration, who each donated 10,000 baht.

Showing his personal appreciation for the work done by the local Rotary Club, Chanyut Hengtrakul, the Advisor to the Chairman of the Chonburi Administrative Council and CEO of Sophon Cable and now a parliamentary candidate for the Chart Thai Party, attended the event and officially opened this round of the three part tournament.

Following upon the success of the first competition held at the end of September, when 84 teams participated, the club is now preparing for the grand finale to be held at the OD Bowl on November 25.

For those wanting to rent stalls at the event or seek more information, please visit our site at [email protected]  

Sunday sightings on the increase

What the heck is Pok้mon? It is the general name given to the 150 different types of creatures found in the Pok้mon universe, each type with its own unique name (Pikachu, Charmander, etc.). They are the stars of video games, trading card games and cartoons. Pattaya’s kids are really getting into the theme, especially at the Sunday Pok้mon brunch hosted by the Thai Garden Resort.

GM Rene Pisters and his wife Ploy welcomed Father Michael and children from the Pattaya Orphanage to the Pok้mon brunch party.

Lots of party games, a Pok้mon quiz, colouring contest, card treasure hunt, clowns, a magic show and prizes for the kids are just some of the activities in what has become a great day out for the family.

This past week, the Thai Garden Resort extended an invitation to, and sponsored, children from the Pattaya Orphanage to take part in all the fun. The kids had a great time, and so did Father Michael for that matter.

Next Friday night (Nov 10) there will be another of the very popular musical evenings held at the Captain’s Corner Restaurant on Thappraya Road. These have been the springboard to a musical “career” for some aspiring Pattaya singers, and Rick is promising a full bill on the night. This one looks to be the biggest held so far.

The Rotary Club
of Jomtien-Pattaya

Skal International

Pattaya Fun City
By The Sea